Improvement in sportmen s cartridge-holding vests



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. t

JOSEPH H. BLACK, OF COLUMBIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SPORTMENS CARTRIDGE-HOLDING VESTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 144,594, dated November 18,1873; application filed August 13, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH H. BLACK, of the borough of Columbia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain Improvement for Carrying Metallic Cases or Cartridgesfor Breech-Loading Fire-Arms, of which the following is a specification:

The accompanying drawing will clearly illustrate the same so that any one skilled in the art can make and use my invention.

The object of this invention is to divide or distribute. the weight of thirty or forty charged metallic cases over a larger surface without inconvenience, to be accessible, and to prevent the galling or chatlng upon the hips, as is the case when such metallic cartridges are carried in a belt around the waist by Sportsmen who use the modern improved breech-loading fowling-pieces, or doublebarreled shot-guns, having a center-tire, or pin-fire, snap-action, &c., or riies for killing deer, or army use, to which the primed, charged, metallic cases or shells are adapted, and carried in a belt 0r box hung around the body.

VThe novelty of my invention consists in the application of as many series of tinted cells or pockets P on each side of the breast B B of an ordinary plain or straight-breasted vest or waistcoat, as the size of the same will allow, say three series on cach side, with six pockets n1 each series, holding thirty-six cartridges or shells, charged preparatory to going into the field. This garment is made out of stout materials, with a stout strip, say, two

4inches wide, tinted across the breast by stitching down one end, then pressing it over the empty shell S, and stitching it down to the cloth on the other side, thus gaged flutes or pockets open at each end, can be speedily made in several series across the breast of the vest I. Doubled or heavy ledge L may be secured below the iintes or pockets, which will prevent the cases or shells from slipping through as effectually as if closed up with the needle, or a fixed bottom. Since the cases should lit tightly into the pockets access is had also from below to push them out, if necessary. Those from which the load has been discharged can be returned to the pocket, and replaced by a full charge in the gun.

Those who enjoy the sports of the field in hunting or fowling know the value and convenience of breech-loadin g nre-arms, and of having all the cases or shells charged and primed with care, when at leisure, preparatory to going out. The snap-action and ease with which the cases are introduced, without a moments loss of time, enables the sportsman using such arm to bring down game while his companion is engaged in loading his piece by the muzzle,

which always takes time and care; hence,'this class of arms is coming into universal use.

The only objection hitherto felt was the mode of carrying the ammunition in abelt around the waist, which objection I have en` deavored to obviate by my sportsinans vest, or the metallic-cartridge vest; therefore What I claim as my invention is- The several series of the luted open-bottom pockets P, with the bottom ledge L made upon one or both sides of an ordinary vest or waistooat,substantially inthe manner and for the purpose mentioned.

JOS. H. BLACK.

Witnesses:

J AMES E. MIFFLIN, F. C. SToUeHToN. 

